Feminism. When I was in the 7th grade the word made me want to apply to all women colleges (yes I was thinking about college at age 11). When I got to Smith College and graduated to a job in investment banking, the word made me recoil. The connotation inferred I was a sideline extremist complaining about things that went against the very nature of "God given gender roles." This was in 1998. In 2016, "feminism" means an entirely different thing. I'm vocal but in my own way, which I talk about in this piece for Tuesnight.com. Writing it was both reflective and cathartic and made me homesick for my mom. On the eve of electing the first woman president of the United States, she is someone I would love to be with to watch it all unfold. - Hitha Herzog
Women's Beauty Products Men Love
Brandon Nicholson, a Ph.D. candidate at the University of California, Berkeley, tries hard to keep his dark secret from his girlfriend.
"It's getting to be a problem, and I'm afraid she is catching on," he says. "Every time I take a shower, I have to use her body wash that smells like chocolate. It's like I'm addicted or something."
A 6-foot-9-inch, bald-headed wall of muscle isn't the first person you would picture lathering up with a soap that smells like hot cocoa, or hiding the fact that he enjoys it from his girlfriend, who happens to work at Bath and Body Works. But Nicholson isn't alone. Seven out of 10 men use some product meant for the opposite sex as part of their grooming ritual, according to men's Web site groominglounge.com.
2007 Fashion Week: Runway To Realway
If you already had a wee hunch the world was going to hell in a hand-basket, your suspicions would have found ample confirmation in the dark, depressing duds trotted out by designers at the Spring 2008 Mercedes Benz Fashion Week in New York, just concluded.
If clothes can be pessimistic, these were.
"Part of the way [my] collection is constructed has to do with the post-apocalyptic world," says Yeohlee Teng, designer and creative director of the Yeohlee line. "[My] collection is about my vision of [the] future, [what clothes will look like] when the world is destroyed and we are without machines to make the clothes."
Over-The-Top Runway Looks
Richie Rich, designer of contemporary women's wear line Heatherette, knows how to grab the attention of a fickle fashion crowd.
"One year, we had a 'Babes in Toyland' theme, so we created a dress made entirely of stuffed animals," he says of a recent collection. "That was definitely one of my favorites."
Rich isn't the only designer to send attention-grabbing pieces down the runway. During the men's Spring 2008 collections in Milan last summer, John Galliano swathed his models' bodies in bullet-proof vests. For his subsequent couture show in Paris, dresses were so intricately embellished they each weighed at least 40 pounds. Creations seen this week in New York include a wooden bathing suit and a 50-carat canary diamond necklace.
Mischa Buys Rocker T-Shirts for Nicole Richie's Baby
Nicole Richie's baby can rock – and be rocked – at the same time, thanks to gifts from Mischa Barton.
"I got her a bunch of rocker tees for the baby, with different types of logos of rock bands on them," Barton, 21, told PEOPLE at Wednesday's launch party for Keds' spring 2008 campaign. "And she loved them!"
Barton explains, "She is going to have the most fabulously dressed baby, I am sure, because she is so stylish herself."
The Rolling Stones and AC/DC logo T-shirts were impulse buys for Barton. "They were so unique," she said. "I just loved them!"
Richie, 26, is due when January, with her first child with boyfriend Joel Madden – and Barton had to shop not knowing the baby's gender.
"She actually doesn't know what she is having," says Barton. "She wants it to be a surprise."
Caught in the Act!
Jessica Simpson and stylist pal Jessica Paster, feasting on spaghetti and lobster at West Hollywood eatery Il Sole. The pair then jetted off to the Chateau Marmont's lounge, where they "laughed lots" and sipped on white wine. Nearby, a solo Heath Ledger and a pal lounged on a sofa while Orlando Bloom chilled. Simpson then continued her girls' night out at trendy club Area, where she "had fun to the beat of (Blondie's) 'Call Me,' " says a clubgoer.
Jamie Foxx, pouring vodka into the mouths of several ladies who visited his table at Hollywood hot spot Les Deux. Also making the scene: Matthew Perry and Michael Vartan, who hung out with a large group of guys at a table near the bar.
Jesse Bradford, keeping the party going after the New York City premiere of his film Flags of Our Fathers. The actor invited several hundred people to The Plumm club, which he co-owns with nightlife guru Noel Ashman. Only problem, Bradford forgot that the club isn't open on Monday nights. Not wanting to disappoint the waiting crowd, Ashman opened the doors with his keys, and he and Bradford played bartender until 4 a.m.
Jermaine Dupri Launches Tell-All Book
In his dishy new memoir, Young, Rich, and Dangerous: The Making of A Music Mogul, Jermaine Dupri looks back on his successful producing career and the big names he worked with – to say nothing of the one singer who stole his heart: Janet Jackson.
At Monday night's Manhattan launch of the book, the 35-year-old hip-hop impresario and rapper, with a very svelte Jackson at his side, told PEOPLE: "I'm excited. I get to add the title 'author' to my titles, I guess. ... I can't wait to get to a bookstore and see it tomorrow."
Besides Jackson – who said of her boyfriend's book, "I think it's awesome" – also at the hotspot Marquee to help celebrate the newly published author: rapper Nas and wife Kelis, Boyz II Men and Joey Fatone, who told PEOPLE, "I haven't read the book, but I am excited to read it."
Rehabbing Richie Sambora Steps Out with Bon Jovi
Richie Sambora was all smiles Wednesday night as the rehabbing rocker stepped out with his fellow Bon Jovi bandmates to be honored by the Recording Academy's New York Chapter.
Sambora, who's been receiving ongoing treatment, declared, "Welcome to the record business rehab."
Before accepting the honor along with the band, Sambora, wearing a black suit and looking rested and happy, told Foxnews.com's Roger Friedman, "I'm sober, I'm good."
Of his time at the Cirque Lodge in Utah (where Lindsay Lohan is also receiving treatment), he said, "I'm going back just to do finish this weekend. I figured, why not get to the bottom of this and really understand it?"
Caught in the Act! VMAs Edition
Beyoncé, showing up just after midnight for a joint post-VMA bash and birthday celebration at boyfriend Jay-Z's club 40/40. The lavish affair featured glass-encased honeycombs filled with live bees (B for Beyoncé) and flat projection screens playing a montage of the b-day girl's performances and music videos. The Versace-wearing singer (who won best R&B video for "Check On It") got hugs and well wishes from her family – parents Tina and Mathew Knowles, sister Solange – and celeb pals including former Destiny's Child bandmates Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams, plus Usher, Ludacris, Andy Roddick and Rihanna.
But Beyoncé (who marks her 25th on Sept. 4, the same day her B'Day album is released internationally) also made time to cuddle with her man. She draped her arms over Jay-Z's shoulders and at one point he leaned over and gave her a sweet kiss.
How the Stars Partied Before the VMAs
With the MTV Video Music Awards on Thursday night, stars including Jessica Simpson, Vanessa Minnillo and Justin Timberlake have been in New York City all week to host parties, hit the clubs and collect swag from celebrity suites.
Though the awards will be at Radio City Music Hall (check out the nominees here), PEOPLE hit all the hot pre-VMA events – which are sometimes as memorable as the show itself:
During the day on Tuesday at Marquee, celebs swarmed the Polaroid Lounge, cruising for the perfect freebee:Vanessa Minnillo sipped champagne while booking through the suite in a mere 15 minutes. Why? She was late for work. Still, she collected gear including a camera and a Sidekick, which may come in handy for keeping in touch with Nick Lachey when he's on the road.